When will France lift travel restrictions and when can we travel there again?

As travel restrictions continue for people in the UK traveling to France, many are concerned about their holidays. So when might the travel restrictions in France be lifted?

Reports have suggested that the travel restrictions between France and the UK may be reduced in the coming months.

A French government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, announced that France will make it a "bit easier" to travel between the two countries. On January 6, the French government expanded the parameters so that those needing to enter France for business, and those who need to travel to France in order to return home can do so.

But what about everyone else? As Paris is one of the great European city breaks within 2 hours of the UK, and many Britons flock for the Alps for the winter months, many are concerned about potentially canceled trips. Here are some of the answers to the questions you might have about France's travel restrictions and whether holidays will be canceled...

When did France introduce travel restrictions?

France introduced travel restrictions for travelers coming from the UK on December 16, 2021. This strict ban was introduced because of rising cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the UK.

Despite these drastic bans, France has still reported a high number of cases of the Omicron variant, which has also swept across the UK. The variant is now the most dominant variant in France and the country’s seven-day case rate is now significantly higher than the UK's.

When will France lift travel restrictions?

While the date for lifting travel restrictions is unclear, the French government is already loosening the restrictions in the new year and seems to be eager to lift the ban if it is no longer medically necessary.

An update about the restrictions is expected later this week, when Brits will have a clearer idea about whether they will need to shift their holidays.

Who can travel to France currently?

French nationals or French residents can still travel from the UK to France regardless of the restrictions.

Other allowances have been made for people who are attending the funeral of a close relative, those who have a medical reason to travel, those whose work requires travel, and some other more uncommon cases.

Traveling through France in order to get to your home is also now allowed. As of January 6, traveling through France in order to reach your country of residence in the EU or equivalent country (such as EEA countries; Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, and Andorra) is now permitted.

Holidaymakers are still not permitted to currently travel to France, but this is a topic that will be addressed as the French government continues to monitor the Omicron situation in both the UK and France.

What to do if you have a holiday booked to France

As people in the UK are not currently permitted to travel to France, you may need to cancel upcoming holidays if restrictions do not change. The best practice is to contact your travel provider and check their cancellation policy. 

Many companies will offer either a full refund, a rebooking option, or even vouchers for another trip. If any plane tickets are canceled due to restrictions, you will be eligible for a full refund within a week of the planned flight.